Maryland giving iPads to all of its athletes

Every Maryland athlete is being given an iPad. The school says the iPads are to be used to aid the students in their educational missions.

The iPads’ distribution provoked curiosity and concern among non-athletes – particularly the backers of Terps teams recently eliminated because of budget issues.

Maryland, which has more than 500 intercollegiate athletes, said funding for the iPads (the replacement value for each is $600) came from the NCAA Student-Athlete Opportunity Fund.

The fund is designed to help athletes make ends met. Maryland students must sign liability agreements and can’t sell the iPads, which remain university property.

“Often times the [NCAA] fund is used for educational purposes, as it was in this case,” Maryland said in a prepared statement. “It cannot be applied to a general fund or in the case of the University of Maryland to reinstate athletic programs.”

The school said the devices will keep athletes “better connected academically when traveling to represent the university.”

In other Terps news, the schedule for the 2013 football season is expected soon. In response to queries, here is what we know so far: